Giants' Hakeem Nicks on team flight to San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO -- It was wheels up for Hakeem Nicks Saturday, with the hopes of a touch down (or more) Sunday.

The wide receiver was among the Giants who flew to San Francisco for the 49ers game, the best indication yet that he will be ready to play after missing the last three games. Twice he was ready to travel but was downgraded to out just before the team departed the day before its games against the Panthers and the Eagles, but this time he was on board both literally and figuratively.

Nicks still is listed as questionable, making him a game-time decision, but after practicing twice and running three times during the week without any setbacks, playing Sunday seems highly likely.

The Giants were so excited about his joining them that they tweeted a picture of him boarding the plane Saturday afternoon.

The only three Giants who did not make the cross-country trip were those who already had been ruled out: defensive tackle Rocky Bernard (quad), running back Andre Brown (concussion) and safety Kenny Phillips (knee). That means cornerback Corey Webster, who did not practice all week, likely will play. It also means that offensive tackle David Diehl (knee) traveled for the first time since his injury and could be in uniform for the first time since Week 2. Where he would play with starters Will Beatty and Sean Locklear bookending a line that just ran for 243 yards and has allowed only four sacks of Eli Manning in five games remains to be seen.